HIV/AIDS: Group urges FG, states to procure self-testing kits for citizens by   Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja July 26, 2019 in   Health   The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) has called on government in all the three tiers to procure self-testing kits to help increase testing for the virus in the country. Besides, the group also urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, disseminate the HIV self- testing guidelines. These, the group argued in a statement, would help bridge the HIV testing gap and ensuring that the country achieve ninety (90%) percent testing target for 2030. The statement which was signed by the group Executive Secretary, Dr. Walter Ugwuocha also noted availability of the self-testing kits will further provide access to people who don’t feel comfortable going to health facilities for testing. He said: “Availability of HIV self-test kit in Nigeria is a welcome development as it will facilitate ac...

What is the age of consent for adolescents access to sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria? Isaac Eranga This is the question in the mind of twenty six individuals from different organizations for whom the age of consent for adolescents access to sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention and treatment services, when they met at Grand Cabana Hotel, Abuja on the 22nd of June, 2019. The single concern drawing these organisations together was their concern about how the age of consent limits access of adolescents to HIV prevention services. The report which was made available to Social Reporters News Service, by the New  HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, based in Lagos had it  that those who expressed concerns include representative of the office of the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the GFATM in Nigeria, Mr Taju Ibrahim. He expressed extreme concerns about how the GFATM have been limited in scaling up adolescen...

Comrade Moses Uyi Osaretin has emerged Chairman of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council. This was after the first attempt to conduct the election failed as a result of hostilies. However, peace has finally returned to the chapel. At the end of the elections, Comrade Uyi Osaretin returned unopposed as chairman for the second term, while Magdalene Odigie defeated Paul Iduozee by 16/7 votes for the treasurer position, marking her second stint in the Chapel. Other members of the Chapel are Mrs. Shula Edenaro, as Vice Chairman; Miss. Mercy Onyeweli, as Auditor, just as Kenneth Okunbor emerged as secretary. The highlight of the elections was the reconciliation of members who over the weeks have been at loggerheads due to the process that led to the event. In his acceptance speech, Comrdae Osaretin thanked the leadership of the NUJ for their qualitative leadership in managing the crisis that could have scuttled the Cha...

Social Reporters News Service - News from the source Edo Referees Boss hails State FA over commencement of State League By Isaac Eranga  Chairman of Edo State Football Referees Council, Mr. Johnbull Nosa Okundolor has commended the Edo Football Association over the smooth kick off of the 2019 Edo State Football League. Mr. Okundolor made this commendation before newsmen in Benin while commenting on the state of football in Edo. He said the Hon. Osaro Asemota led board has proved that they have what it takes to develop football in the State. The Edo Referees' boss assured teams and their supporters of fair officiating and zero tolerance to hooliganism. "I want to use this medium to urge all fans and spectators to stop all forms of intimidation against football referees. Our referees are prepared to ensure that the matches are hitch free.  "I want to also warn my referees to put up brilliant performance or be shown the exit door", the football administrato...

Edo APC crisis:House of Assembly Inuaguration date uncertain ...as stake holders meeting ends in deadlock By Mark Erabor Benin City: A stake holders meeting of the  All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State convered on Friday,14th of June,2019 had ended in a deadlock.The  meeting  which took place at APC  Secretariat in Benin City was convered to broker peace among the warring parties ahead of the State House of Assembly Inuaguration. The meeting was attended by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Secretary to the state government Hon.Osarodion Ogie,some elected members of the state house of assembly,and political leaders from the three senatorial zones. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the party leaders came to honour an invitation by the party,and that it was meant to discuss issues within the party.On the contentious leadership and inauguration of the State House of Assembly. ...

Social Reporters News Service By Mark Erabor Following the completion of construction work on some roads and streets in Ekehuan axis of Benin City, residents in the area have expressed appreciation to Governor Godwin Obaseki, for acting promptly in rescuing their hitherto erosion-prone neighbourhood. In a letter signed by the Coordinator of a coalition of residents in the area, Hon. Goodluck A. Okhuaherobo and nine other elders residing in the communities, residents of Aerodrome Close, Goodwill and Iriajen Streets, lauded the governor for the unparalleled urban renewal effort in Oredo Local Government of the state. “On behalf of the good people of  Oredo Local Government Area of the state,  especially Aerodrome Close, Goodwill and Iriajen Street, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the governor for considering our constituency among those in need of urgent road repair, reconstruction and refurbishment; which many in your exalted position could have overlooke...

How promoting HIV self-testing in communities reduces prevalence of AIDS https://guardian.ng/features/science/how-promoting-hiv-self-testing-in-communities-reduces-prevalence-of-aids/ By Adaku Onyenucheya As part of measures to achieve zero prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome among young people in Nigeria, youths across different tertiary institutions have set out to implement HIV self-testing solutions they developed in communities. According to recent statistics from the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), young people are at the epicentre of an expanding HIV crisis, with the second largest number of new HIV infection in the world. The report further indicates that the number of young people in Africa is estimated to double by 2050, yet fewer than one in five Nigerian youths have never been tested for HIV, with many adolescents engaging in risky sexual behaviours w...